Sydney William ANDREW, 3 May 1929 - 25 May 2017 On the afternoon of June 1, 2017, I drove up island to Duncan BC to attend the Celebration of Life for my Uncle Syd, my mother's youngest brother and the last of the seven siblings to pass away. I had received a phone call from my Aunt Barb late on the morning of Thursday, May 25. At first I thought she was phoning to finalize the details of our planned visit on Friday, but instead was told that Syd had passed away in his sleep during the night. This news was bitter sweet. I am grateful that his death was peaceful and that I had recently had a nice chat with Uncle Syd by phone on his 88th birthday earlier in May. But I am also so very, very sad that he is now gone.
Uncle Syd's death was not totally unexpected. After the death of his sister Eleanor JONES last year, he had suffered a stroke and his recovery in hospital was delayed by a fall, then pneumonia, followed by surgery to rectify a blocked artery. After he was finally allowed to come home, walking with the aid of a cane, he never seemed to regain his previous energy. Gradually losing his mobility and his will, it would soon have been necessary to enter a care home, something Uncle Syd did NOT want to do. So he was ready to go.
Uncle Syd's death was not totally unexpected. After the death of his sister Eleanor JONES last year, he had suffered a stroke and his recovery in hospital was delayed by a fall, then pneumonia, followed by surgery to rectify a blocked artery. After he was finally allowed to come home, walking with the aid of a cane, he never seemed to regain his previous energy. Gradually losing his mobility and his will, it would soon have been necessary to enter a care home, something Uncle Syd did NOT want to do. So he was ready to go.
Sydney ANDREW (front row centre) in 1960 with some of his fellow Duncan volunteer firefighters, including brothers-in-law
Charlie Clark (front row left) and Vern Jones (back row, 3rd from left)
Syd's well-attended service on June 1 was held at the Duncan City Fire Department, one of his favorite places to be, we were told, where he shared good times with his friends and fellow fire fighters. During his time with the volunteer fire department, Syd rose to the rank of captain. He also had family ties there as his brother Dean Andrew had also served, and two brothers-in-law had both held the position of chief: Charlie Clark and Vern Jones. A large complement of present day firemen attended the service in full uniform to honour Syd's life and contributions; the current deputy chief acted as MC. It was indeed heartwarming to hear the stories and memories of Syd from him and other firemen, some of whom had also apprenticed as a mechanic and/or worked for Syd when he owned his garage and Home service station. Syd was a hard worker himself and expected the same from his workers, yet treated them well and with loyalty.
Some relatives and a neighbor also took the podium to share their memories of Syd. Some common themes emerged. He was a dedicated family man to his wife and two children, and then to his grandchildren and recent great-grandchildren. Most were in attendance. He loved to play cribbage, and shared that love with his grandchildren and others. He loved to play golf, but although he is credited with 2 "holes in one", he was not a good golfer. He could be counted on to lend a helping hand. As a long time resident of Baker Drive, he was an honorary "grandpa" to neighborhood children, always taking time to talk with them and even share an apple with them from his plentiful crop.
Photos of Syd and his family adorned the room and attracted a lot of attention. One of the three composite posters focused just on his great-grandchildren. There were also a few old pictures from his youth, including one with his maternal grandfather and namesake Sydney RICHARDSON. I hadn't seen many of them before, and were wonderful reminders of his long life well lived.
Syd was born 3 May 1929, the son of Harry Charles ANDREW and Eleanor Louise "Nell" RICHARDSON. His obituary was published in the Cowichan Valley Citizen on 26 May 2016:
Photos of Syd and his family adorned the room and attracted a lot of attention. One of the three composite posters focused just on his great-grandchildren. There were also a few old pictures from his youth, including one with his maternal grandfather and namesake Sydney RICHARDSON. I hadn't seen many of them before, and were wonderful reminders of his long life well lived.
Syd was born 3 May 1929, the son of Harry Charles ANDREW and Eleanor Louise "Nell" RICHARDSON. His obituary was published in the Cowichan Valley Citizen on 26 May 2016:
Sydney William ANDREW 1929-2017
Passed peacefully at home, on Thursday, May 25, 2017 after suffering a stroke one year ago. He is survived by his wife Barb, son Bill (Sherry), daughter Jody (Pierre Meunier), grandchildren Kevin, Richard, Nicole, Travis and Jace, five lovely great grandchildren, as well as many nieces & nephews. Syd was the youngest of seven children. He is predeceased by his parents Harry & ‘Nel’ Andrew and his six siblings: George, Mabel, Dean, Harriet, Al and Eleanor. He was born in St. Eleanor’s, Prince Edward Island and moved with his family to Vancouver Island. Syd was a mechanic by trade and operated Andrew’s Service Station for many years before going to work at the Crofton Pulp Mill until he retired. He also was a volunteer firefighter with the Duncan Fire Department for many years and always enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow firemen. Another interest was golf, though a terrible golfer, he enjoyed his time at the Cowichan Golf Course. A short service will be held at the Duncan Fire Hall, 468 Duncan Street, on Thursday, June 1st 2017 at 2pm followed by refreshments. FIRST MEMORIAL FUNERAL SERVICES Duncan, B.C. 250-748-2134 Condolences may be shared online at www.firstmemorialfuneral.com
We'll miss you, Uncle Syd.
Uncle Syd ANDREW with Mabel ANDREW, his oldest sister and my mother,
taken sometime around 1950, probably in Cowichan Bay, BC
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